What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes in which chronically high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that supply the retina. Those vessels leak fluid and blood, swell, or close off, and in advanced cases the retina responds by growing abnormal, fragile new vessels that can bleed and scar. Left unmanaged, it is a leading cause of vision loss in adults with diabetes, which is why annual screening is recommended for everyone living with the condition, regardless of how their vision currently feels.

What are the early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy?

In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no noticeable warning signs at all, since the initial damage tends to occur in peripheral blood vessels rather than the central macula. As the disease progresses, some people notice blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots or floaters, or difficulty seeing at night, but by the time these symptoms appear the disease has often already reached a moderate or advanced stage. This is why an eye exam, not symptoms, is the reliable way to detect it early.

Can you have diabetic retinopathy even with 20/20 vision?

Yes. Because early damage typically affects peripheral retinal vessels rather than the macula, it is entirely possible to pass a standard vision test with 20/20 results while still having active, progressing retinopathy. Vision often does not decline until the disease reaches a moderate or severe stage or diabetic macular edema develops. This is the main reason eye doctors recommend annual retinal screening for anyone with diabetes rather than waiting for vision changes.

How often should someone with diabetes get an eye exam?

The general guidance is a comprehensive eye exam once a year for anyone with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. If diabetic retinopathy has already been diagnosed or appears to be progressing, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring, often every two to four months, to track changes closely and catch any progression toward a more advanced stage.

What happens during a diabetic eye exam, and do I need dilation?

A diabetic eye exam typically includes visual acuity testing, a pressure check called tonometry, and detailed imaging of the retina to look for microaneurysms, leakage, swelling, or abnormal vessel growth. Traditional exams rely on dilating drops to widen the pupil for a clearer view. At Lucent Family Eye Care, our Optomap and OCT imaging can capture an ultra-widefield view of the retina along with a cross-sectional scan of retinal layers, often without needing dilation, making the exam faster and more comfortable while still giving our doctors a thorough view.

Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed or cured?

The underlying blood vessel damage caused by diabetic retinopathy is not reversible, and there is currently no cure. However, tightly managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can meaningfully slow or halt its progression, and treatments such as anti-VEGF injections or laser therapy can reduce swelling and bleeding and help stabilize or improve vision in some cases. The most accurate way to think about it is management and prevention of further progression rather than reversal.

Is diabetic retinopathy different for Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes?

The disease process and the need for annual screening are the same for both types once screening begins, but the recommended starting point differs. People with Type 2 diabetes should begin screening at the time of diagnosis, since the condition can go undetected for years beforehand. People with Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in childhood, are typically first screened around five years after diagnosis, since retinopathy rarely develops that early. From that point on, both groups follow the same annual monitoring schedule.

Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for diabetic eye care?

Your optometrist is your first point of contact for diabetic eye care. Doctors like Dr. Yee and Dr. Sultani perform the annual screening, retinal imaging, and ongoing monitoring needed to catch and track diabetic retinopathy in its early and moderate stages. If imaging shows the disease has progressed to a point requiring injections, laser treatment, or surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist or retina specialist for that treatment, then continue monitoring your eyes going forward.

Will glaucoma make me go blind?

Not usually if it's caught and treated. With proper treatment and ongoing monitoring, only a small percentage of glaucoma patients experience blindness — the key is catching it early, since damage that's already occurred can't be reversed, but further progression can typically be slowed or stopped.

Is glaucoma curable or reversible?

No. Glaucoma cannot be cured, and vision already lost to it cannot be restored with current treatment. What treatment can do is slow or halt further damage, which is why ongoing monitoring and early detection matter so much more than trying to reverse existing loss.

Is glaucoma hereditary?

Family history is one of the most consistent risk factors identified for glaucoma. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed, your own risk is higher, and it's worth mentioning this to your optometrist so they can recommend an appropriate testing schedule for you.

How often should I get tested for glaucoma?

Average-risk adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years after turning 40. If you have risk factors like family history, diabetes, certain ethnic backgrounds, or you're over 60, annual testing is generally recommended. Anyone already diagnosed or being monitored typically needs follow-up every three to six months, or as their optometrist directs.

Why is glaucoma called "the silent thief of sight"?

Because the most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma, causes no pain and no early symptoms. Peripheral vision loss happens so gradually that many people don't notice it until a significant portion is already gone, which is why routine testing — not waiting for symptoms — is the only reliable way to catch it.

What's the difference between open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma?

Open-angle glaucoma is the more common form, developing slowly and painlessly as the eye's drainage angle gradually clogs. Angle-closure glaucoma involves a narrower or blocked drainage angle, and an acute attack is a medical emergency with sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights that requires immediate care.

Can I have glaucoma even with normal eye pressure?

Yes. This is known as normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs even though intraocular pressure measures within the typical range. It's part of why eye pressure testing alone isn't enough — a full work-up also includes optic nerve imaging and visual field testing.

What tests will my eye doctor use to check for glaucoma?

A thorough glaucoma assessment generally includes tonometry to measure eye pressure, OCT imaging to evaluate the optic nerve, perimetry (visual field testing) to check peripheral vision, gonioscopy to examine the eye's drainage angle, and pachymetry to measure corneal thickness. Each test answers a different question, which is why they're used together rather than on their own.

What does LASIK co-management actually mean?

It means your pre-operative evaluation and post-surgical follow-up visits are handled by your own optometrist rather than exclusively at the surgical centre where the procedure was performed. The surgeon still performs the surgery itself and remains involved in your care; your optometrist manages the surrounding visits and stays in contact with the surgical team throughout your recovery.

Will I see the surgeon again after my LASIK or PRK procedure, or only my optometrist?

This depends on the arrangement your surgeon sets up, but in a co-managed relationship it's common for most routine follow-up visits to happen with your local optometrist, with the surgeon remaining available if a complication or concern needs their direct attention. Your optometrist coordinates with the surgeon as needed rather than making decisions in isolation.

Is co-management a lower standard of care than seeing the surgeon for every visit?

No. Co-management is a standard, well-established model used widely in eye care, not a shortcut. It allows routine monitoring to happen locally and conveniently while keeping the surgeon informed and involved for anything beyond typical healing, which often means more accessible follow-up care rather than less thorough care.

How is PRK recovery different from LASIK recovery?

LASIK involves creating a thin corneal flap, so initial discomfort is usually mild and many patients regain functional vision within about 24 hours, often returning to work or screens within a few days. PRK removes the outer corneal layer entirely, so the first few days tend to involve more discomfort, watering, and light sensitivity while a bandage contact lens protects the eye, with a longer return-to-work window of roughly one to three weeks as the surface heals.

How soon after surgery will I have my first follow-up visit?

Patients are typically seen within 24 to 48 hours after either procedure to check early healing. After that, follow-up visits are commonly scheduled around one week, one month, and three months post-surgery, though PRK patients sometimes have a slightly extended schedule since epithelial healing takes longer than the flap-based healing seen with LASIK.

Am I a candidate for LASIK or PRK?

General guidelines suggest candidates are typically 18 or older, have had a stable prescription for about two years, have healthy corneas, and have no active eye disease. These are only general starting points; a proper candidacy evaluation, including detailed corneal mapping, is always completed by the surgeon during a formal consultation.

Does Lucent Family Eye Care perform the LASIK or PRK surgery itself?

No. The surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist at a surgical centre. Lucent Family Eye Care refers patients to trusted Vancouver ophthalmologists for the procedure and consultation, then provides co-management, including pre-operative evaluation support and post-operative follow-up care, at our clinic.

Do I still need annual eye exams after LASIK or PRK?

Yes. LASIK and PRK correct refractive error, but they don't prevent unrelated eye conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy from developing later in life. Continuing annual eye exams with your optometrist after surgery helps catch these conditions early, well beyond the surgical recovery period.

How do I know if my eye problem is an emergency?

Look at how suddenly the symptom appeared and how severe it is, since that combination matters more than any single symptom on its own. Sudden vision loss, a chemical splash, a penetrating injury, or severe pain combined with headache, light sensitivity, or nausea all point to a true emergency that needs care right away. Mild, gradual, or isolated symptoms, like a bit of redness on its own or occasional floaters with nothing else going on, usually mean a same-day optometrist visit is enough rather than a trip to the emergency room.

What are the signs of an eye emergency?

The clearest warning signs are sudden or significant vision loss, a chemical or fume exposure, a visible wound or object in the eye, blood or fluid leaking from the eye, blunt trauma to the eye, a sudden shower of floaters and flashes together with a shadow across your vision, sudden double vision, and severe pain with light sensitivity, headache, or nausea. Any one of these on its own is worth having checked promptly, and several appearing together should be treated as urgent.

Should I go to the ER or see an eye doctor?

For genuinely sight-threatening symptoms, such as a chemical splash, a penetrating injury, or sudden significant vision loss, an emergency room is the right call. For most other urgent eye problems, an optometrist can typically see you the same day and is often faster to get in with and better equipped to diagnose an eye-specific issue than a general emergency department, which handles a much wider range of conditions.

Can pink eye be an emergency?

Usually not. Viral pink eye is generally self-limiting and tends to clear up on its own within a week or two, though it's still worth having examined, both to confirm what's causing it and to make sure it isn't spreading to family members. Pink eye becomes more concerning if it's paired with significant pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity, in which case it should be checked the same day rather than left alone.

What do sudden flashes and floaters mean?

An occasional floater with no other symptoms is usually not urgent and is common as people get older. A sudden increase in floaters, especially together with flashes of light and a shadow or curtain across part of your vision, is a classic warning sign of retinal detachment and needs to be evaluated right away, since delaying care can affect the outcome.

When should I worry about a red eye?

Mild redness without pain or vision change can usually wait for a routine or same-day appointment and often clears up with basic care. Worry more when redness is combined with significant pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or halos around lights, since that combination can point to something more serious, including acute angle-closure glaucoma, which needs urgent treatment to protect vision.

What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry trained to examine, diagnose, and treat most eye conditions and emergencies, and in BC can prescribe medication for infections, inflammation, and allergies. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with surgical training who handles the smaller number of cases that require surgery, such as advanced cataracts, LASIK, or retinal detachment repair, and typically becomes involved through a referral rather than as a first point of contact.

Can an optometrist treat an eye emergency?

Yes. Optometrists are trained to assess and manage most urgent eye problems on the spot, including infections, injuries, and sudden changes in vision, and to prescribe appropriate medication for eye infections, inflammation, and allergic reactions. When a case needs surgery or specialist treatment, an optometrist refers to a trusted ophthalmologist and continues co-management and follow-up care afterward, so patients aren't left to coordinate that on their own.

How long can I wait to see someone for eye pain?

Mild, dull eye discomfort without other symptoms can often wait a day or so for a scheduled appointment. Sharp, worsening, or severe eye pain, especially with headache, nausea, light sensitivity, or vision changes, should not be delayed, since it can indicate an infection, injury, or a pressure problem like acute angle-closure glaucoma that needs same-day attention.

OCT Eye Scan: What It Detects and What to Expect

An OCT eye scan uses light waves to capture a cross-sectional, layer-by-layer image of your retina, revealing structural changes that a surface photograph or standard exam alone cannot show. It is one of the diagnostic tools included in Lucent Family Eye Care’s eye care services, used to help detect glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, often before you notice any symptoms.

An OCT eye scan uses light waves, not sound or radiation, to capture a cross-sectional image of the layers inside your retina, similar to a CT scan for the eye but using light instead of X-rays. It is one of the diagnostic tools included in Lucent Family Eye Care’s eye care services, used to catch changes inside the eye before they cause noticeable vision problems.

What Is OCT Imaging?

Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, produces a cross-sectional map of your retina’s individual layers. Rather than photographing the eye’s surface, it measures how light reflects off tissue at different depths, building a picture that looks almost like a slice through the retina.

This layer-by-layer view lets Dr. Linda Yee and Dr. Malalai Sultani measure the thickness of structures such as the retinal nerve fiber layer against healthy ranges. Subtle thinning or swelling invisible on a standard photograph often shows up clearly on an OCT scan.

What Happens During an OCT Scan?

An OCT scan is quick, painless, and does not involve any contact with your eye. Here is what to expect:

You rest your chin and forehead on a stand, similar to other eye exam equipment.
You look at a small target light while the device scans your eye.
The scan itself takes seconds, and the full appointment typically runs 5 to 10 minutes.
Dilating drops are often not required for OCT itself, though your optometrist may still recommend a dilated exam based on your overall eye health.
There is no recovery time and no need to arrange a ride home afterward.

What Can an OCT Scan Detect?

Many serious eye conditions develop with no early symptoms, which is why structural imaging matters even when your vision feels fine. An OCT scan can help identify:

Glaucoma, via optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular holes and macular puckers
Retinal detachment
Central serous retinopathy

OCT can flag these conditions earlier than a visual exam alone, when treatment is typically more effective. Our eye disease management services build directly on these findings, whether that means in-house monitoring or coordinating care with an ophthalmologist. One limitation: being light-based, OCT cannot see through a clouded lens, so it is not used to diagnose cataracts.

OCT vs. Optomap: What’s the Difference?

Patients sometimes assume OCT and Optomap are the same thing because both are advanced retinal imaging tools, but they answer different questions. Optomap captures a wide-angle photograph of the retina’s surface. OCT creates a cross-sectional image, showing the tissue layers beneath that surface.

The two are complementary, not competing. Optos Monaco, the device used at Lucent Family Eye Care, captures Optomap and OCT scans in a single sitting, giving Dr. Yee and Dr. Sultani both the surface view and the structural detail at once. For more on the surface-imaging side, including why it often means skipping dilating drops, read our earlier post on Optomap imaging.

Who Should Get an OCT Scan, and How Often?

OCT is commonly recommended for patients who:

Have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration
Live with diabetes
Are over 40, when age-related eye disease risk increases
Have an existing retinal or optic nerve condition that needs ongoing monitoring
Want a more thorough baseline assessment of their eye health

Patients already being monitored may have OCT scans repeated at set intervals to track progression. For others, it is often built into a comprehensive exam on a schedule based on individual risk factors. Dr. Yee and Dr. Sultani can review your history and advise what makes sense for you. Meet both doctors on our eye doctors page.

Is OCT Imaging Covered by Insurance in BC?

BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) generally does not cover routine eye exams for adults aged 19 to 64 unless medically required, and retinal imaging such as OCT is not listed as an MSP-covered service. OCT is typically billed directly to the patient or claimed through an extended health benefits plan, so it’s worth checking your plan’s coverage before your visit.

What Happens After Your OCT Scan?

Your optometrist reviews the images with you at your appointment whenever possible, explaining what the scan shows and whether any measurements fall outside the expected range. An abnormal result does not automatically mean a serious diagnosis; it often means a specific area needs closer monitoring or a follow-up scan to confirm whether a change is progressing. When findings do point to a condition needing surgical or specialist treatment, Lucent Family Eye Care refers patients to trusted Vancouver ophthalmologists and continues co-management and follow-up care in-house, so you are not left managing that transition alone.

If you are due for a comprehensive eye exam, have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, or simply want a clearer picture of what is happening inside your eyes, ask about adding an OCT scan to your next visit. Review our full range of eye care services or contact us to schedule an appointment at our Vancouver clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an OCT eye scan?

An OCT eye scan, short for optical coherence tomography, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to create a cross-sectional, layer-by-layer picture of your retina. Rather than photographing the surface of the eye, it maps the tissue beneath it, similar to how a CT scan images slices of the body but using light instead of radiation. It gives your optometrist detailed structural information that a standard eye exam or a surface photograph cannot show on its own, which is why it has become a routine part of comprehensive eye care.

Is an OCT scan painful?

No. An OCT scan is completely painless and does not involve any contact with your eye. You simply rest your chin and forehead on a stand and look at a small target light while the machine captures images. There is no injection, no puff of air, and no discomfort during or after the test.

How long does an OCT scan take?

The scan itself takes only seconds per eye, and the full appointment typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is usually done as part of a comprehensive eye exam rather than as a separate visit, so it adds very little time to your appointment.

Do I need dilating drops for an OCT scan?

Dilating drops are often not required for OCT imaging itself, since the technology can capture detailed images through an undilated pupil in many cases. That said, your optometrist may still recommend a dilated exam depending on your individual eye health, risk factors, or findings from other tests during your visit.

What can an OCT scan detect?

An OCT scan can help detect glaucoma by measuring the thickness of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, along with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes and puckers, retinal detachment, and central serous retinopathy. Many of these conditions cause no symptoms in their early stages, which is why structural imaging is valuable even when your vision seems normal. OCT is not used to diagnose cataracts, since it relies on light passing through a clear lens.

How is OCT different from Optomap?

OCT and Optomap are both advanced retinal imaging tools, but they capture different information. Optomap takes a wide-angle photograph of the surface of your retina, while OCT produces a cross-sectional image showing the individual tissue layers beneath that surface. The two are complementary rather than competing, and the Optos Monaco device used at Lucent Family Eye Care captures both types of images in a single scan.

How often should I get an OCT scan?

How often you need an OCT scan depends on your individual risk factors and eye health history. Patients being monitored for an existing condition, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, may have scans repeated at set intervals to track any changes over time. Patients without a known condition often have OCT built into a comprehensive eye exam on a schedule their optometrist recommends based on age, family history, and overall risk. Adults over 40, and anyone with diabetes or a family history of eye disease, are commonly advised to include it more regularly.

Is OCT imaging covered by insurance in BC?

In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) generally does not cover routine eye exams for adults aged 19 to 64 unless the exam is medically required, and retinal imaging such as OCT is not listed as an MSP-covered service. OCT is typically billed directly to the patient or claimed through an extended health benefits plan, so it is worth checking your specific plan’s coverage for retinal imaging or diagnostic eye testing before your appointment.

What does an abnormal OCT result mean?

An abnormal OCT result does not automatically mean you have a serious eye disease. It often means a specific area of the retina or optic nerve falls outside the typical range and needs closer monitoring, additional testing, or a follow-up scan to see whether it changes over time. Your optometrist will explain what the finding means for you and recommend next steps, which may include ongoing monitoring in-house or a referral to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation.

What Is an OCT Eye Scan, and What Can It Detect?